Apple is introducing a new Low Power Mode in watchOS 9 to boost your Apple Watch’s battery life further. The company claims the new mode will double the Series 8’s battery life to 36 hours, and let the new Apple Watch Ultra last up to 2.5 days.
You will have to sacrifice some of the advanced features of your wearable to get the longer runtime, though.
Apple Watch Ultra benefits the most from the new power-saving mode
Apple announced watchOS 9 at WWDC22. Back then, the company only highlighted the improvements to the Workout app and other new health features. While unveiling the Apple Watch Series 8 at its Far Out event on September 7, Apple announced the new Low Power Mode. The company claims the feature can extend the battery life of the Apple Watch Series 8 to up to 36 hours.
On the Apple Watch Ultra, the savings are even more significant. Using the Low Power Mode and an “additional low-power setting that reduces the frequency of GPS and heart rate readings,” the wearable’s battery can extend up to 60 hours. This additional low-power setting for the Apple Watch Ultra will arrive later this year.
To extend the runtime, Apple disables certain sensors and features like Always-On Display, automatic workout detection and heart health notifications in this mode.
The new Low Power Mode in watchOS 9 is coming to Apple Watch Series 4 and later models. While not mentioned, it should also significantly boost the battery life of older Apple Watches.
watchOS 9’s Low Power Mode will help reduce battery anxiety
While not an ideal solution, the new Apple Watch Low Power Mode can help when you are out trekking or camping. The feature also perfectly complements fast charging support on Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8.
You can top up these smartwatches to 80% in just 45 minutes. Add in the new Low Power Mode, and you can quickly bank more than a day of battery life on the wearable.
